Plant the seeds of wonder to grow roots of understanding with Artful Reading Science! AR:Science weaves together literacy, science, and the arts to support students as they discover and build knowledge about the world. It fosters intellectual curiosity and fluency, using themes and practices to connect with science and language.
Students want to explore, examine, and learn more about the world around them. With AR: Science, science is brought to life through engaging activities, turning every child into a curious investigator while strengthening their reading and literacy skills.
AR:Science Modules
The Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears module (Fourth Grade) integrates strong science connections with literacy and the arts, providing a comprehensive educational experience. This module uses the adapted African tale of a mosquito causing chaos in the jungle as a backdrop for exploring scientific concepts through literacy experiences. Students engage in learning about mosquito anatomy, behavior, and their role in ecosystems while simultaneously developing their reading and writing skills using Arts-integrated activities to increase retention of the content.
Lessons that highlight the science connections include:
In the Mosquito Repellent lesson, students explore what attracts mosquitoes to humans and learn how to create a natural mosquito repellent using cinnamon essential oil, integrating practical science with hands-on activity.
The Life Cycle of a Mosquito lesson involves students studying models of mosquito development stages, drawing and labeling the stages, and understanding the biological processes involved in the life cycle of mosquitoes. These lessons emphasize the intersection of scientific inquiry, literacy, and creative expression, making the learning process engaging and multifaceted.
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears
Make Way for Ducklings
The Make Way for Ducklings module (First Grade) follows Mr. and Mrs. Mallard as they search for a safe place in Boston to raise their eight ducklings. Throughout their journey, they encounter various challenges, including navigating busy streets and finding food, which mirrors real-life duck behavior and survival strategies. In this module, students delve into the narrative to explore scientific concepts such as animal behavior, habitats, and life cycles, while also engaging in creative and artistic activities that enhance their understanding of the text.
Lessons Include:
Life Cycle of a Duck: In this lesson, students explore the stages of a duck’s life cycle. They sequence images of the life cycle, sketch and label each stage in their science notebooks, and discuss the developmental stages. This lesson combines scientific understanding of biological processes with visual learning techniques.
Feather Painting: Students use real feathers as paintbrushes to create art, exploring different lines, patterns, and shapes they can make with the feathers and yellow tempera paint. This activity connects to the study of duck anatomy and the function of feathers while engaging students in a creative artistic process.